Aug 10, World University Service of Canada Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees Manager Jobs in Kenya

In the context of the ‘Displaced and Refugee youth Enabling Environment Mechanism (DREEM)’ initiative, funded by the MasterCard Foundation, WUSC is seeking a Manager to provide overall direction and technical advice for the meaningful integration of refugee and displaced students within the Mastercard Foundation’s Scholars Program.

Specifically, the Manager would be supporting the Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees (SEOR) pillar of ‘Displaced and Refugee youth Enabling Environment Mechanism’ (DREEM), a five year project based in Kenya.

Background:

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization that works with and through its southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957 and currently working in more than 20 countries worldwide with an annual budget of approximately $45 million dollars, WUSC fosters youth-centered solutions for improved education, economic, and empowerment opportunities to overcome inequality and exclusion.

We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations. Globally, WUSC has a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders that can be leveraged to support our work.

WUSC’s members are Canada’s most globally engaged post-secondary institutions. WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment.

About the Displaced and Refugee youth Enabling Environment Mechanism (DREEM) project and Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees (SEOR)

WUSC through the DREEM project plays a unique role as a technical assistance and strategic learning partner to the Mastercard Foundation and Mastercard Foundation partners. The DREEM project contributes to the Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to meaningfully include refugee and displaced youthin their Scholars Program and Young Africa Works strategy.

The Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees (SEOR) pillar of DREEM aims to provide refugee entrepreneurs, especially young women with improved access to market-oriented business support services that improve business and employment outcomes in Kenya. This is accomplished through the micro and small grants and business development support (BDS) provided through the DREEM Innovation Fund.

The fund aims to stimulate innovation and growth of micro and small enterprises in refugee communities and enhance their capacity to create employment opportunities for refugees in Kakuma and Kalobeyei and the surrounding host communities. The Business Development Support (BDS) is delivered through a partner organization to provide fund beneficiaries with training, technical and marketing assistance, financial literacy, and other related services.

This initiative will also aim to build the business model and capacity of a Refugee Led Organization to undertake BDS services in their community long after DREEM. The fund is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that refugee women, persons with disabilities, and host community young people are included.

Job Role

Under the supervision of the Nairobi-based DREEM Senior Project Manager, the Program Manager will work closely in collaboration with the WUSC teams in Kenya and Canada, the DREEM Youth Advisory Committee, and the Mastercard Foundation team to manage the Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees pillar.

Responsibilities:

Oversee the implementation of the Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees pillar of the DREEM project including facilitation of financial inclusion, MSME business development and integration of international strategies into the local refugee context that will ultimately improve their economic strength;

Financial management of the Innovation Fund, including management of the grant disbursements and contract payments to partners;

Overseeing and managing the partner organization contracted to implement the Business Development Support;

Lead the selection and capacity building of a Refugee Led Organization to undertake BDS support of local businesses;

Coordinate with the crosscutting team to ensure effective integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) in project design and implementation;

Manage relationship with partners and ensure positive relations with donors as well as with other local development organizations, local governments, and the business community;

Submit reports and work plans, in coordination with partners, Senior Program Manager and the crosscutting support team;

Represent the SEOR pillar of the DREEM project and actively participate in coordination of program reviews, technical discussions, regular and planned field visits;

Ensure strict budgetary adherence and monitoring and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Finance, Trade, Business, Agribusiness, Markets Development or other equivalent academic background is preferred.

Experience & Competencies

The ideal applicant will combine experience and technical expertise in the higher education and/or forced migration sectors with a familiarity of the East African refugee context, a strategic and analytical mindset, excellent listening and interpersonal skills, and an ability to get things done.

Specific competencies:

Previous experience in the development arena working with marginalized and vulnerable communities;

A minimum of five (5) years working experience in the above areas;

Experience in programmes/projects design, implementation results based performance monitoring;

A strong understanding of market systems development, inclusive economies, and systems change-oriented interventions and projects;

Demonstrated commitment to gender and social inclusion and knowledge of the specific constraints and realities of challenges faced by refugee and displaced groups;

Diplomatic skills and experience with representation with a wide range of key stakeholders;

Experience working on a Mastercard Foundation project will be an added advantage;

Complete fluency in English is essential, ability to write articulately and cogently, and to edit at a similarly high level;

Experience in project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and quality control;

Previous experience working with innovative financing instruments, such a challenge funds, guarantees or similar is preferred but not required;

Ability to adjust to changing priorities and undertake multiple tasks simultaneously;

Self-motivated with ability to take initiatives and work unsupervised;

Commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.

Other requirements

The role will require regular national and occasional international travel to refugee communities, conferences, workshops and meetings;

Ability to work a flexible schedule.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; World University Service of Canada Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees Manager Jobs in Kenya

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